*MC Chandigarh conducts workshop on occupation health & hygiene*
*Chandigarh, October 15:-* The Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh in association with the Centre for One Health, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana and Dayanand Medical College & Hospital (DMCH), Ludhiana, conducted one day sensitization workshop at the Municipal Corporation Slaughter House, Chandigarh today.
The event was organized under the aegis of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) project titled on Building a Surveillance Model for Detecting Zoonotic Spillover in Increased Animal-Human Interaction Settings Using a One Health Approach: A Study at Selected slaughterhouses.
The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Inderdeep Kaur, Medical Officer (Health), Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, Dr. JS Bedi, Director, Centre for One Health, Dr. Veenu Gupta, Professor, Microbiology and Dr. Harmanmeet Kaur from ICMR, New Delhi. More than 30 slaughterhouse personnel attended this workshop.
The objective of this workshop was to acknowledge slaughterhouse workers and associated personnel, aiming to raise awareness about occupational exposure to the zoonotic diseases (diseases transmissible from animals to human) and the risks of animal-to-human disease transmission in high-contact environments. The Participants were educated on the basics of zoonotic diseases, occupational exposure routes, prevention of these diseases along with maintenance of good hygiene and sanitation practices at the working environment.
Dr. Inderdeep Kaur emphasized the vital role of collaboration between municipal health authorities and researchers in addressing diseases transmissible from animals to human. Dr. JS Bedi highlighted the importance of usage of protective gear while handling the animals during slaughter operations. Dr. Veenu depicted the importance of hand hygiene to the participants. ICMR personnel Dr. Harman interacted with the slaughterhouse workers and briefed them about the project mandates and how it will be helpful for the society and the slaughterhouse workers with the aim to supply safe and wholesome meat to the consumer. Dr. Gaurav Lakhanpal, Superintendent slaughterhouse thanked the experts and participants ensuring the productive liaisons between all the stakeholders.
